A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLeanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow. Sniff. I have just this moment finished reading Sarah MacLean’s A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME and there are still tears in my eyes. It has been a long time since I’ve read something I couldn’t put down. Something so engaging I read into the wee hours, forcing my eyelids to stay open until they absolutely refused. But this book had that effect. It was exquisite. The writing. The characters. The sexual tension. The sensuality. Yes, I’m gushing, but I sincerely enjoyed and marveled at every delicious, riveting word.
Michael and Penelope grew up on neighboring estates, were the titled offspring of landed gentry, and bosom childhood friends. Until Michael lost everything in a card game and disappeared. Penelope, resigned to his loss, became bound to a duke, but broke the engagement when she learned he loved another. For eight years, she has lived in the shadow of the ensuing scandal. She is damaged goods while the duke is happily married to his true love. She's had other proposals, but has refused them all. They only prized her for her dowry. And she wants more. Now, she’s twenty-eight and on the shelf. Past her prime. Her bloom gone. And her two younger sisters will be tarnished by Poor Penelope’s fate . . . unless she yet marries. So, to sweeten the pot for prospective suitors, her father attaches the land Michael lost in that long-ago card game to his eldest daughter's dowry.
Michael, now one of the owners of London’s leading gambling hell, comes to reclaim his property, forcing Penelope to accept his suit. They are married, but he ignores her, desiring only his revenge against the man who robbed him of his honor and inheritance. He doesn’t feel he deserves Penelope, so he fights his growing love for her every step of the way. She, in turn, feeling rebuffed and dishonored, fights her own desires.
I won't reveal any more for fear of spoiling the story for other readers. I will say this: I take my hat off to Sarah MacLean. This book captured my heart as completely as Michael captured Penelope’s. Sigh. I will definitely seek out the rest of Sarah’s scoundrels series.
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Sounds good!
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